The Wise Sayings and Counsel of Molla Fenari

Molla Fenari is the first Shaykh al-Islam of the Ottoman Empire and is recognized for his deep knowledge in the field of jurisprudence. His contributions to Islamic sciences have not been limited to the Ottoman geography but have also inspired other Islamic communities in Anatolia. He was born in Bursa and received his education there, later coming to Istanbul where he was appointed as the highest religious authority of the state. He drew attention with his innovative approaches in education and sought to modernize the madrasas. Through the works he wrote in the field of jurisprudence and the fatwas he issued, he shed light on the social and legal issues of his time; he strengthened the place of moral norms in society. Molla Fenari is also known for his deep Sufi knowledge and emphasized the place of Sufism and mysticism in Islam.